I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s somewhere around 2012 to 2014. At the time, I was a full-time teacher—stressed out, running on very little sleep, and still navigating my recovery from an eating disorder I battled in my mid to late 20s. Looking back, it was the perfect storm for thyroid issues to take root.
My doctors kept increasing my thyroid medication, but never once asked if I was actually taking it. Truth is, I wasn’t very consistent. I was told to take the pill two hours before coffee—and as any coffee-loving teacher will understand, that just didn’t work for me. So, I often skipped it altogether. Eventually, I decided to stop taking the medication completely. I didn’t feel terrible, and I was tired of the dose creeping up.
When I left teaching and lost my insurance in 2016, I stopped seeing doctors for a while. But after 2020, as a board-certified health coach, I decided it was time to walk my talk. I got back on track, found a new GYN, and explained my history. She tested my thyroid and confirmed I did, in fact, still have Hashimoto’s. She referred me to a functional medicine doctor in Charleston, and I stayed with that practice for about a year and a half.
At first, I was hopeful. They ran food sensitivity tests and put me on new medication. I eliminated everything on my “inflammatory foods” list—but misunderstood one key item: corn. I thought I was just avoiding corn-on-the-cob, not realizing corn derivatives are in practically everything. Eventually, one of the doctors asked about my diet, and we had a much-needed conversation about just how sneaky corn can be. To this day, I still can’t tolerate corn or its derivatives, and I stay away from gluten too.
But over time, I noticed a frustrating pattern: I’d go to LabCorp to get my blood drawn, meet with the doctor a week later, and—every time—they’d increase my meds again. It felt like I had fallen back into the same routine I was in back in 2012. It was time-consuming, expensive, and ultimately, I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
So, I explored another option—a functional medicine doctor in Charlotte that came highly recommended by a friend. I signed up for a 4-month program that included extensive testing, and they found H. pylori and a parasite. I was put on progesterone, testosterone, and a long list of supplements, and given a restricted food plan that felt overwhelming at times. A health coach was part of the program, but honestly, the experience was disappointing. The coach wasn’t supportive or positive, and she didn’t really listen. I was already feeling vulnerable and frustrated, and this only made things harder.
While the doctor did uncover some helpful things, I still don’t know if those infections were ever fully resolved because I never got retested. And a follow-up visit with the doctor—after I’d already paid for the program—would have cost over $400.
I tried a local GP next but again felt dismissed. I brought all my labs from Charlotte and explained my journey. She noted that one thyroid number was still a little off but said, “Let’s just retest next year.” That didn’t sit well with me.
So here I am—still searching. Still trying to find a provider who is affordable, will take time to dig deeper, and help me figure out why my thyroid meds never seem to work the way they’re supposed to.
So why share all of this?
Because maybe you’ve been there too—or you’re there right now.
Maybe you’ve been told “everything looks fine” even when you feel off.
Maybe your doctor hasn’t asked if you’re actually taking your medication—or if it’s working for you.
Maybe you’ve assumed that working with a functional doctor or health coach guarantees a great experience, only to walk away feeling more confused (and more broke) than before.
If so, let this be a reminder:
✨ You are allowed to get a second opinion.
✨ You are allowed to ask questions.
✨ And you are absolutely allowed to find a care team that listens to you and works with you—not just your lab numbers.
Whether you’re navigating thyroid issues or something else entirely, please know this: healing isn’t always linear, and it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Keep searching. Keep asking. Keep trusting your gut.
And if you ever want someone to walk alongside you on your wellness journey, I’m here. As a health coach, I listen deeply, I ask thoughtful questions, and I always treat you as the expert of your own body. I may not have all the answers, but I’ll support you as you find them—and that’s more than I can say for the health coach I once had.
→ If you’re ready to take the next step in your health journey, sign up for a free consultation. Let’s talk.
